Crime debate sparks reminder to council candidates

The Mayor of Alice Springs says the current police crime prevention operation is having a positive effect on antisocial behaviour in the town.

Damien Ryan says he is in constant contact with Northern Territory police but it is not a problem that will go away in a hurry.

He says he is concerned about criticism of council's role, saying part of the problem is that people simply do not understand the council's responsibilities.

He says law and order is the domain of the NT Government and he hopes the candidates in this weekend's by-election understand that.

"It's probably a good reminder to all of the seven candidates running for by-election this weekend," he said.

"There's lots of talk out there about things we're going to do but I hope that they also understand what the Local Government Act is and what they do when they get into council because a lot of the talk out there is not what council can do on a day-to-day basis."